Patu Sigley, Maori Health Volunteer of the Year 2020
Long time Kororāreka Marae komiti trustee, Patu Sigley, was awarded the New Zealand Health Volunteer of the Year 2020. Patu was nominated for the award by Kororāreka Marae for her work over more than 50 years, often in small and sometimes isolated communities. A career nurse, she spent a large part of her non-working life as a volunteer. She helped set up monthly hauora clinics to help meet the special needs of this area, volunteered for the rural ambulance service for 30 years, assisted people into pensioner housing or community living and has helped hundreds of people with everyday tasks. She helps with the distribution of food parcels for those affected by Covid, and makes people aware of services available such as testing and vaccinations and how to access them.
Patu was to received the award in Wellington from the Minister of Health but because of Covid the award took place at Haratu with Dame Jenny Shipley presenting in place of the Minister. Patu, her whanau and friends were welcomed onto Kororāreka Marae where tributes and formalities followed.
